Cost of keeping Springmill Learning Center open is too high

It is an understatement to say that recent News Journal articles promoting the Springmill Learning Center (SLC) distress me. My problem is where to direct my concerns.

? To the News Journal for couching editorials as news? Are you aware that permanent improvement funds were used at Springmill while technology across the district remains outdated? Or that Springmill staff sit idle most days and are not responsible for teaching on those occasions when students visit the center? Or that the total monetary commitment in salaries alone nearly matches the original projected deficit in the district? Or that outside revenue generated doesn't come close to offsetting the financial drain from the general fund?

? To an Mansfield School Employess Association (MSEA) vice president who consistently places his desires above the needs of an entire district? Since you have quoted Mr. Strong on several occasions let me be clear: Mr. Strong knows that staffing the SLC will cost real classroom jobs elsewhere in the district. But, I guess saving his own position is really that important. As an MSEA vice president, possibly Mr. Strong could address further classroom overcrowding as a result of keeping Springmill open?

? To Mr. Elswick, A board of education member who would suggest that Springmill has more value than the day-to-day education of 1,400 students throughout the district?

? Or possibly for a former superintendent and current treasurer who continued to pour money into a project that showed no real possibility of recouping any significant amount of that money; thus insuring the need for state intervention.

Rather than showing distress over the removal of staff from Springmill, could you show a little sympathy for the nearly 100 families that will be directly affected by the four years that Springmill remained open.

Thomas H. Sawyer

Lucas

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Cost of keeping Springmill Learning Center open is too high

It is an understatement to say that recent News Journal articles promoting the Springmill Learning Center (SLC) distress me. My problem is where to direct my concerns.